Mr. Palk expired a deep breath of satisfaction at this counsel.
"So be it," he said. "I'll do it; and for the sake of a female it will be done."
"Then you won't have it on your conscience, whether or no, Thomas."
"'Tis my conscience be doing of it," said Mr. Palk; "it can't be nothing else."
Nevertheless he felt a measure of doubt on this point. His motives were beyond his own power of analysis.
"I might come and let you know the upshot one day," he said.
"You'll be welcome, and all the more so if I can do you a good turn," promised Mr. Chaffe; then Thomas went his way.
There now awaited him a very formidable deed; but he was determined not to shrink from it, while still quite unable to explain to himself the inspiration to anything so tremendous.